Drawer with guide tracks

ABSTRACT

Channel-defining ribs are formed integrally on the side panels of a drawer made from a strip of extruded metal and the ribs support drawer-guiding tracks which coact with rollers to slidably guide the drawer, the tracks interfitting dovetail fashion with the ribs. Mashed depressions are formed at spaced locations along the ribs to facilitate bending of the latter when the metal strip is bent to form the panels of the drawer.

Umted States Patent 1191 [111 3,744,869

Anderson et al. 1 July 10, 1973 DRAWER WITH GUIDE TRACKS 1,523,653 1/1925 Larson et al 312/350 Inventors: Lloyd L. Anderson; Richard L. 3,572,874 3/1971 Hassel 312/350 Bildlllll, both of Rockford, Ill. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS A ig Amerock p i Rockford, 1,085,624 Great Britain 312/330 SM [22] Filed: July 6, 19 1 Primary Examiner-.|ames T. McCall [21] Appl 159,882 Attorney-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann 52 U.S. c1 312/330, 312/340, 312/350 [57] ABSTRACT 51 Int. Cl A47b 88/04 channemefinmg are fmmed integrally the side [58] Field of Search 312/341 330 350- Panels Ofa draw" made a strip extruded meial 2] 1/161; 6 and the ribs support drawer-guiding tracks which coact with rollers to slidably guide the drawer, the tracks in- 56] References Cited terfitting dovetail fashion with the ribs. Mashed depressions are formed at spaced locations along the ribs to 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS facilitate bending of the latter when the metal strip is lfggg 32 3/ 3; bent to form the panels of the drawer. 3,222,437 12/1965 Schilling 312/330 SM 13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJUL nuns sum 2 nr 3 fi/ Z I \IVENTORS. if Ma a 4. AJaae'Ja/v P/r/Mzp z. 5/40/1566 m 7%%mfvifi 4 N W; do? 0 DRAWER WITH GUIDE TRACKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a drawer for a cabinet or the like and, more particularly, to a drawer formed from an initially straight piece of extruded metal which is bent laterally and then reversely to define a rear panel extending at right angles to two side panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a new and improved drawer of the above character having simplified means on the side panels for mounting and locating elongated tracks which coact with rollers to guide the drawer for in and out sliding. More specifically, this is achieved by extruding or otherwise forming vertically spaced ribs on the outer sides of the side panels, the ribs defining upwardly and downwardly opening channels for receiving the guide tracks and for locating the tracks in fixed vertical and lateral positions on the side panels.

A further object of the invention is to provide unique guide tracks with upwardly and downwardly extending lips which fit into the channels to locate the tracks vertically and laterally and which, at the same time, coact with the channels to anchor the tracks longitudinally.

The invention also resides in the unique provision of inwardly mashed depressions at spaced locations along the channel-defining ribs to facilitate bending of the ribs at the junctions of the side and rear panels when the metal sheet is bent to form such panels.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anew and improved drawer embodying the novel features of the present invention, the drawer being shown in conjunction with an exemplary cabinet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a strip of metal from which the rear and side panels of the drawer are formed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear and side panels after being formed from the metal strip.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary crosssections taken substantially along the lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the drawer guiding tracks.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged fragmentary crosssections taken along the lines 7-7 and 8-8, respectively, of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a tool set-up used to prepare the metal strip for bending, parts being broken away and shown in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is incorporated in a drawer 10 adapted to he slid into and out of an opening 11 in a cabinet-like unit 13, the drawer being supported and guided during such sliding by rollers 14 journaled on brackets 15 which are attached to the cabinet at opposite sides of the opening. Basically, the drawer comprises two side panels 16, a rear panel 17, a bottom panel 18 and a decorative front panel 19 which is secured to the forward ends of the side panels by screws 20.

The side panels 16 and the rear panel 17 are integral with one another and are formed as a result of placing a pair of right angular bends in an elongated and initially straight strip 21 (FIG. 2) of extruded metal such as aluminum so as to convert the midportion of the strip into the rear panel and to convert the end portions of the strip into the side panels. By virtue of the bends, substantially right angular comers 23 are defined 'at the junctions of the side panels with the rear panel.

As an incident to extruding the metal strip 21, an outturned flange or rib 24 is formed along the upper edge of the strip and the resulting panels and an additional outwardly protruding rib 25 defining an inwardly opening channel is formed along the lower edge of the panels. While both ribs tend to rigidify thepanels, the outwardly turned top rib 24 also eliminates sharp edges at the tops of the panels and enhances the overall apperarance of the drawer 10. The bottom panel 18 of the drawer is fitted edgewise into the channel defined by the bottom rib 25 (see FIG. 7) and is held by such rib against vertical and sidewise shifting. Endwise shifting of the bottom panel is prevented by the rear panel 17 and by the front panel 19 when the latter is subsequently attached to the side panels 16 by the screws 20.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, upper and lower intermediate ribs 26 and 27 (FIGS. 2 and 7) are formed on the outer side of the strip 21 as an incident to extruding the latter. The upper and lower intermediate ribs define downwardly and upwardly opening channels 29 and 30, respectively, which extend along the outer sides of the side panels 16 of the ultimate drawer l0 and which serve to mount and locate elongated drawer guiding tracks 31 adapted to coact with the rollers 14 to support the drawer for in and out sliding. Formation of the channeldefining ribs 26 and 27 during extrusion of the strip 21 is a comparatively simple matter and, as will become more apparent subsequently, such ribs provide a means for mounting the tracks 31 on the side panels 16 without the need of using sheet metal screws or other fasteners and without need of spot welding the tracks to the panels. In addition, the ribs 26 and 27 tend to stiffen the panels thereby to increase the resistance of the panels to bending out of vertical planes.

More specifically, the intermediate ribs 26 and 27 parallel one another, protrude outwardly from the outer sides of the panels 16 and 17, and are spaced approximately equidistantly from the top and bottom ribs 24 and 25, respectively. After first projecting horizontally from the panels, the upper intermediate rib 26 extends downwardly to define the downwardly opening channel 29 while the intermediate rib 27 first projects horizontally and then upwardly to define the upwardly opening channel 30.

The invention further contemplates the provision of uniquely constructed guide tracks 31 which fit into the channels 29 and 30 and coact with the latter so as to be held in fixed vertical, lateral and longitudinal positions. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each track comprises an elongated, outwardly opening channel defined by a vertical plate 33 which spans upper and lower flanges 34 adapted to ride along the rollers 14. At longitudinally spaced locations along the upper edge portion of the plate 33, lugs are struck inwardly from the plate and define upwardly extending and inwardly projecting lips 35 (see FIGS. 2 and 7). Similarly, lugs are struck inwardly at spaced locations along the lower edge portion of the plate 33 and define lips 36 which project inwardly and downwardly. Preferably, the lower lips 36 are staggered longitudinally along the plate with respect to the upper lips 35 to avoid excesive weakening of the plate.

Assembly of the tracks 3] to the side panels 16 is effected by moving each track endwise along its associated panel to cause the lips 35 and 36 to move into the channels 29 and 30. The lips interfit dovetail fashion with the vertically extending portions of the ribs 26 and 27 and thus hold the tracks against lateral and vertical movement relative to the side panels. Endwise or longitudinal movement of each track is prevented after ini- 54 underlies the intermediate ribs 26 and 27 and mashes or deforms the ribs to produce the depressions 44 as an overhead plunger 55 is impinged downwardly upon the upper side of the strip 21, the plunger being carried by a movable platen 56.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention brings to the art'a new and improved drawer 10in which track-supporting ribs 26 and 27 are formed integrally with the panels 16 as an incident to extruding a metal sheet 21 which ultimately is converted into the panels. The tracks 31 with the lips 35 tial assembly of the track by mashing the vertically ex- (FIGS. 2 and 3) are cut in the top and bottom ribs 24 and 25 at longitudinally spaced locations corresponding to the two comers 23 between the side panels 16 and the end panel 17 of the ultimate drawer-l0. The V- notches open edgewise out of the ribs and terminate adjacent the plane of the strip. Thus, when; the strip is bent, the ribs bend cleanly at the comers and without any tearing of the metal occurring. Normally, the strips will be cut to the proper length, notched and "men'- shipped flat to the cabinet maker who will bend the strips and assemble the components of'the-drawer.

In carrying out another aspectof the invention, inwardly mashed depressions 44 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) are formed in the intermediate ribs 26 and 27 at two longitudinally spaced locations corresponding to the locations where the strip 21 is bent to define the comers 23 of the-drawer 10. The mashed depressions 44 in the ribs 26 and 27 serve generally the same purpose as the notches 43 in the top and bottom ribs 24 and 25, that is, the depressions facilitate bending of the ribs 26 and 27 during bending of the strip but it has been found that it is easier and simpler to mash the intermediate ribs rather than to notch such ribs and, in addition, the mashing avoids the need of cutting the intermediate ribs and leaving sharp edges at the corners thereof.

As shown most clearly. in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the inwardly mashed depressions 44 are formed simply by inwardly deforming short lengths of the intermediate ribs 26 and 27, and particularly the vertically extending portions thereof, until the deformed sections of the ribs lie adjacent the plane of the strip 21. Accordingly, the intermediate ribs bend cleanly and smoothly at the derpessions when the strip is bent and do not tear during such bending.

Preferably, notching of the ribs 24 and 25 and mashing of the ribs 26 and 27 are effected substantially simultaneously by an exemplary tool set-up such as shown schematically in F IG. 9. The strip 21 is clamped in a horizontal position by a fixture 50 and is located alongisde V-shaped notching punches 51 adapted to be moved through horizontal strokes by fluid cylinders 53 so as to notch the top and bottom ribs. A coining die and 36 fit into the channels 29 and 30 defined by the ribs and interlock dovetail fashion with the ribs and thus it is not necessary to form holes in the panels, or to use fasteners or welds for anchoring the tracks to the panels. Mashing of the ribs at the corners of the drawer facilitates the formation of right-angleibends in the ribs and can be accomplished comparatively quickly and easily and without need of cutting the ribs.

We claim as our invention:

l. A drawer comprising opposed upright side panels and an upright rear panel integral with and spanning said side panels, said panels being formed from a single elongated strip of metal having a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending bends intermediate its ends to define right angular corners at the junctions of said side panels with said rear panel, upper and lower parallel ribs integral with and extending along said panels intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof and protruding outwardly from the outer sides of said panels, said upper and lower ribs defining downwardly and upwardly opening channels, respectively, a pair of elongated drawer guiding tracks each having an outwardly opening channel-shaped cross-section andeach formed by upper and lower flanges bridged by an upright plate; and means on said tracks fitted into the channels on said side panels and coacting with said channels to locate said tracks in fixed vertical and lateral positions.

2. A drawer as defined in claim 1 in which said means comprise a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of each plate and defining upwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the lower edge portion of said plate and defining downwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, the upwardly extending lips of each plate being fitted into the downwardly opening channel of the respective side panel and the downwardly extending lips being fitted into the upwardly opening channel to locate said track in a fixed vertical and lateral position on said side panel.

3. A drawer as defined in claim 2 in which said upwardly extending lips are staggered longitudinally of said track with respect to said downwardly extending lips.

4. A drawer as defined in claim 2 in which said ribs are mashed inwardly into clamping engagement with at least some of said lips to hold each track in a fixed lon gitudinal position on its respective side panel.

5. A drawer as defined in claim 1 further including top and bottom ribs extending along the upper and lower edges of said panels and protruding outwardly from the outer sides thereof, notches formed in said top and bottom ribs at each of said corners to facilitate bending of said strip at the junctions of said panels, and an inwardly mashed depression formed in said upper and lower ribs at each of said comers to facilitate bending of such ribs during bending of said strip.

6. A drawer comprising opposed upright metal side panels and an upright rear panel spanning said side panels, upper and lower parallel ribs integral with and extending along said side panels intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof and protruding outwardly from the outer sides of said panels, said upper and lower ribs defining downwardly and upwardly opening channels, respectively, an elongated drawer guiding track mountable on the outer side of each side panel, each of said tracks being of outwardly opening channel-shaped cross-section and being formed by upper and lower flanges bridged by an upright plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of said plate and defining upwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of the plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the lower edge portion of said plate and defining downwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of the plate, the upwardly extending lips of each plate being fitted into said downwardly opening channel of the respective side panel and the downwardly extending lips being fitted into the upwardly opening channel to locate said track in a fixed vertical and lateral position on said side panel.

7. A drawer as defined in claim 6 in which said upwardly extending lips are staggered longitudinally of said track with respect to said downwardly extending lips.

8. A drawer as defined in claim 6 in which said lips lie inwardly of and in face-to-face relation with said ribs, said ribs being mashed inwardly into clamping engagement against certain of said lips to anchor each track in a fixed longitudinal position on its respective side panel. l

9. A drawer comprising opposed upright side panels and an upright rear panel integral with and spanning said side panels, said panels being formed from a single elongated strip of meatal having a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending bends intermediate its ends to define right angular corners at the junctions of said side panels with said rear panel, top and bottom ribs extending along the upper and lower edges of said panels and protruding outwardly from the outer sides thereof, an intermediate rib extending along said panels between said top and bottom ribs and protruding outwardly from said panels, notches formed in said top and bottom ribs at each of said comers to facilitate bending of said strip at the junctions of said panels, and an inwardly mashed depression formed in said intermediate rib at each of said comers to facilitate bending of the intermediate rib during bending of said strip.

10. A drawer as defined in claim 9 further including an additional intermediate rib paralleling said one rib and located between said top and bottom ribs, said ad ditional rib protruding outwardly from the outer sides of said panels and being formed with inwardly mashed depressions located at said corners, the upper one of said intermediate ribs defining a downwardly opening channel and the lower one of said intermediate ribs defining an upwardly opening channel, an elongated drawer guiding track extending along the outer side of each of said side panels, each of said tracks having an outwardly opening channel-shaped cross-section and each being formed by upper and lower flanges bridged by an upright plate, and means on each of said tracks and fitted into said channels.

11. A drawer as defined in claim 10 in which said means comprise a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of each plate and defining upwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, a seris of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of each plate and defining downwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, the upwardly extending lips of each plate being fitted into the downwardly opening channel of the respective side panel and the downwardly extending lips being fitted into the upwardly opening channel to locate said track in a fixed vertical and lateral position on said side panel.

12. A drawer as defined in claim 11 in which said lips lie inwardly of and in face-to-face relation with the intermediate ribs defining said channels, said intermediate ribs being mashed inwardly into clamping engagement against certain of said lips to anchor each track in a fixed longitudinal postion on its respective side panel.

13. A drawer as defined in claim 10 in which said bottom ribs define inwardly opening channels along the inner sides of said panels, and a bottom panel fitted into the latter channels and located in a fixed vertical and lateral position by such channels.

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1. A drawer comprising opposed upright side panels and an upright rear panel integral with and spanning said side panels, said panels being formed from a single elongated strip of metal having a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending bends intermediate its ends to define right angular corners at the junctions of said side panels with said rear panel, upper and lower parallel ribs integral with and extending along said panels intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof and protruding outwardly from the outer sides of said panels, said upper and lower ribs defining downwardly and upwardly opening channels, respectively, a pair of elongated drawer guiding tracks each having an outwardly opening channel-shaped cross-section and each formed by upper and lower flanges bridged by an upright plate, and means on said tracks fitted into the channels on said side panels and coacting with said channels to locate said tracks in fixed vertical and lateral positions.
 2. A drawer as defined in claim 1 in which said means comprise a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of each plate and defining upwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the lower edge portion of said plate and defining downwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, the upwardly extending lips of each plate being fitted into the downwardly opening channel of the respective side panel and the downwardly extending lips being fitted into the upwardly opening channel to locate said track in a fixed vertical and lateral position on said side panel.
 3. A drawer as defined in claim 2 in which said upwardly extending lips are staggered longitudinally of said track with respect to said downwardly extending lips.
 4. A drawer as defined in claim 2 in which said ribs are mashed inwardly into clamping engagement with at least some of said lips to hold each track in a fixed longitudinal position on its respective side panel.
 5. A drawer as defined in claim 1 further including top and bottom ribs extending along the upper and lower edges of said panels and protruding outwardly from the outer sides thereof, notches formed in said top and bottom ribs at each of said corners to facilitate bending of said strip at the junctions of said panels, and an inwardly mashed depression formed in said upper and lower ribs at each of said corners to facilitate bending of such ribs during bending of said strip.
 6. A drawer comprising opposed upright metal side panels and an upright rear panel spanning said side panels, upper and lower parallel ribs integral with and extending along said side panels intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof and protruding outwardly from the outer sides of said panels, said upper and lower ribs defining downwardly and upwardly opening channels, respectively, an elongated drawer guiding track mountable on the outer side of each side panel, each of said tracks being of outwardly opening channel-shaped cross-section and being formed by upper and lower flanges bridged by an upright plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of said plate and defining upwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of the plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the lower edge portion of said plate and defining downwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of the plate, the upwardly extending lips of each plate being fitted into said downwardly opening channel of the respective side panel and the downwardly extending lips being fitted into the upwardly opening channel to locate said track in a fixed vertical and lateral position on said side panel.
 7. A drawer as defined in claim 6 in which said upwardly eXtending lips are staggered longitudinally of said track with respect to said downwardly extending lips.
 8. A drawer as defined in claim 6 in which said lips lie inwardly of and in face-to-face relation with said ribs, said ribs being mashed inwardly into clamping engagement against certain of said lips to anchor each track in a fixed longitudinal position on its respective side panel.
 9. A drawer comprising opposed upright side panels and an upright rear panel integral with and spanning said side panels, said panels being formed from a single elongated strip of metal having a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending bends intermediate its ends to define right angular corners at the junctions of said side panels with said rear panel, top and bottom ribs extending along the upper and lower edges of said panels and protruding outwardly from the outer sides thereof, an intermediate rib extending along said panels between said top and bottom ribs and protruding outwardly from said panels, notches formed in said top and bottom ribs at each of said corners to facilitate bending of said strip at the junctions of said panels, and an inwardly mashed depression formed in said intermediate rib at each of said corners to facilitate bending of the intermediate rib during bending of said strip.
 10. A drawer as defined in claim 9 further including an additional intermediate rib paralleling said one rib and located between said top and bottom ribs, said additional rib protruding outwardly from the outer sides of said panels and being formed with inwardly mashed depressions located at said corners, the upper one of said intermediate ribs defining a downwardly opening channel and the lower one of said intermediate ribs defining an upwardly opening channel, an elongated drawer guiding track extending along the outer side of each of said side panels, each of said tracks having an outwardly opening channel-shaped cross-section and each being formed by upper and lower flanges bridged by an upright plate, and means on each of said tracks and fitted into said channels.
 11. A drawer as defined in claim 10 in which said means comprise a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the upper edge portion of each plate and defining upwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs struck from the lower edge portion of each plate and defining downwardly extending lips projecting inwardly from the plane of said plate, the upwardly extending lips of each plate being fitted into the downwardly opening channel of the respective side panel and the downwardly extending lips being fitted into the upwardly opening channel to locate said track in a fixed vertical and lateral position on said side panel.
 12. A drawer as defined in claim 11 in which said lips lie inwardly of and in face-to-face relation with the intermediate ribs defining said channels, said intermediate ribs being mashed inwardly into clamping engagement against certain of said lips to anchor each track in a fixed longitudinal position on its respective side panel.
 13. A drawer as defined in claim 10 in which said bottom ribs define inwardly opening channels along the inner sides of said panels, and a bottom panel fitted into the latter channels and located in a fixed vertical and lateral position by such channels. 